ASH Secretary Dr. Robert Brodsky participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) following the introduction of sickle cell disease (SCD) legislation in the U.S. Senate. The Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment Act (S.
2465), sponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Booker, reauthorizes SCD prevention and treatment grants awarded by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award SCD surveillance grants to better understand the prevalence and distribution of SCD and its associated health outcomes,
complications, and treatments.

ASH and 66 other organizations have endorsed
the Senate bill. Similar legislation (H.R.
2410) sponsored by Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and Michael Burgess
(R-TX) passed the House earlier this week. A webcast of the SCD roundtable
between Dr. Brodsky and Senator Booker is available online.

Over the past several years, ASH members have made numerous visits to
congressional offices and participated in congressional briefings to raise
awareness of SCD. These steadfast advocacy efforts were critical in the
introduction of this legislation. ASH looks forward to continuing the fight to
move this bill through the Senate and ultimately having it signed into law.